Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
November 15 Sunday, November 15, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on November 15 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
8
Holidays
1705
European history 321 years ago
Rákóczi's War of Independence: The Habsburg Empire and Denmark win a military victory over the Kurucs from Hungary in the Battle of Zsibó.
The Habsburg Empire and Denmark defeat Hungarian Kuruc rebels in the Battle of Zsibó during Rákóczi's War of Independence.
History
What happened on November 15
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 655UK history
Battle of the Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria.
Oswiu of Northumbria defeats Penda of Mercia in the Battle of the Winwaed.
- 1315European history
Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy: The Schweizer Eidgenossenschaft ambushes the army of Leopold I in the Battle of Morgarten.
Swiss Confederates ambush and decisively defeat Duke Leopold I of Austria's army at Morgarten, securing the independence of the forest cantons.
- 1532World history
Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire: Commanded by Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conquistadors under Hernando de Soto meet Incan Emperor Atahualpa for the first time outside Cajamarca, arranging for a meeting in the city plaza the following day.
Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto meets Incan Emperor Atahualpa outside Cajamarca, arranging a plaza encounter that would lead to the emperor's capture.
- 1533World history
Francisco Pizarro arrives in Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire.
Francisco Pizarro reaches Cuzco, marking the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire's capital.
- 1705European history
Rákóczi's War of Independence: The Habsburg Empire and Denmark win a military victory over the Kurucs from Hungary in the Battle of Zsibó.
The Habsburg Empire and Denmark defeat Hungarian Kuruc rebels in the Battle of Zsibó during Rákóczi's War of Independence.
- 1777US history
American Revolutionary War: After 16 months of debate the Continental Congress approves the Articles of Confederation.
The Continental Congress endorses the Articles of Confederation after 16 months of deliberation.
- 1806US history
Pike Expedition: Lieutenant Zebulon Pike spots a mountain peak while near the Colorado foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It is later named Pikes Peak in his honor.
Zebulon Pike discovers a prominent mountain peak in the Colorado foothills, which later bears his name as Pikes Peak.
- 1884World history
The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 met on 15 November 1884, and after an adjournment concluded on 26 February 1885, with the signature of a General Act, regulating the European colonisation and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period.
European powers signed the General Act, establishing rules for colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period.
- 1969War
Vietnam War: In Washington, D.C., 250,000-500,000 protesters staged a peaceful demonstration against the war, including a symbolic "March Against Death".
Protesters marched in Washington, D.C., staging a peaceful demonstration against the Vietnam War with a symbolic "March Against Death."
- 1978Disaster
A chartered Douglas DC-8 crashes near Colombo, Sri Lanka, killing 183.
A Douglas DC-8 charter flight crashes near Colombo, resulting in 183 fatalities.
- 2000Politics
Jharkhand officially becomes the 28th state of India, formed from eighteen districts of southern Bihar.
Jharkhand becomes the 28th state of India, formed from eighteen districts of southern Bihar.
- 2007Disaster
Cyclone Sidr hits Bangladesh, killing an estimated 5,000 people and destroying parts of the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans.
Cyclone Sidr devastates Bangladesh, killing about 5,000 people and damaging large sections of the Sundarbans mangrove forest.
Born today
Famous birthdays on November 15
7 this date All birthdays
José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi
Mexican journalist and author
José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi, Mexican writer and journalist whose novel "El Periquillo Sarniento" is considered the first Latin American novel, was born in 1776 (died 1827).
Born
1776
Died
1827
Cornelia Sorabji
Indian lawyer, social reformer and writer
1866 – 1954
Mwai Kibaki
Kenyan economist and politician, 3rd President of Kenya
1931 – 2022
Nera White
American basketball player
1935 – 2016
Cynthia Breazeal
American computer scientist, roboticist, and academic
b. 1967 · 59
Jonny Lee Miller
English-American actor
b. 1972 · 54
Fernando Verdasco
Spanish tennis player
b. 1983 · 43
Music
The number one songs on November 15
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on November 15, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport November 15, 2020
Lewis Hamilton wins the Turkish Grand Prix and secures his seventh drivers' title, equalling the all-time record held by Michael Schumacher.
Lewis Hamilton wins the Turkish Grand Prix, securing his seventh drivers' title and matching Michael Schumacher's record.
Read the story
🔬 Science November 15, 1971
Intel releases the world's first commercial single-chip microprocessor, the 4004.
Intel introduces the 4004, the world's first commercial single-chip microprocessor.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
America Recycles Day (United States)
International
America Recycles Day, also known as National Recycling Day, is a national observance in the United States dedicated to promoting recycling across the nation
Day of the German-speaking Community of Belgium (German-speaking Community of Belgium)
International
The Day of the German-speaking Community is a holiday in Belgium celebrated on 15 November each year
Day of the Imprisoned Writer (International observance)
International
The Day of the Imprisoned Writer is an annual, international day intended to recognize and support writers who resist repression of the basic human right to freedom of expression and who stand up to a
Independence Day, unilaterally declared in 1988. (Palestine)
International
The Palestinian Declaration of Independence formally established the State of Palestine, and was written by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish and proclaimed by Yasser Arafat on 15 November 1988 in Algi
King's Feast (Belgium)
International
The King's Feast has been celebrated in Belgium on November 15 since 1866
National Tree Planting Day (Sri Lanka)
International
Arbor Day is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees